U.S. Chair Joe DiLorenzo has big plans.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: FEI CHAIRS - Joseph DiLorenzo chair for Financial Executives International

It's a proven fact--based on years of FEI member surveys--that one of the main reasons for joining is for the opportunities to network with peers. Joseph (Joe) DiLorenzo, FEI U.S. chair for 2008-9, is a walking example of the value of FEI networking. His current professional undertaking, as one of the managing officers of Plymouth Rock Studios, is one that he got involved with due to a connection he made over 10 years ago with another FEI member.

It's a case of who knew whom. A businessman whom DiLorenzo met 10 years ago through former Austin Chapter president Jim Teats (who wanted to meet someone who was a "well-established person in the Boston community") connected him to David Kirkpatrick, the former CEO of Paramount, Disney and Touchstone Pictures.

Since the introduction to Kirkpatrick and also Thom Black, Kirkpatrick, Black, DiLorenzo and a small team of successful entertainment and development executives have co-founded Plymouth Rock Studios. They've now begun the process of building what they say is "the first modern, earth-friendly, smart and largest movie and television studio in the world."

Plymouth Rock Studios, DiLorenzo explains, is a proposed film and television (F/TV) production campus that is seeking a commitment for development in Plymouth, Mass., to become an alternative to Hollywood, and be known as "Hollywood East." As such, he envisions the studio will spark a new production industry in the Plymouth area, generating at least 1,500 jobs and billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits to the area. It will further establish Massachusetts as the cultural centerpiece of New England, he adds.

DiLorenzo's career has included 29 years in the sports and entertainment industry and then co-founding the M/D Group after more than 18 years with the Boston Celtics, as CFO and senior vice president of administration. When leading the financial side of the Celtics, DiLorenzo helped take the team public on the New York Stock Exchange, acquire Boston's Fox TV station (Channel 25) and radio station WEEL

Prior to the Celtics, DiLorenzo had leadership roles with the Boston Garden/Boston Bruins organization for 11 years. He also spent some time as vice president of Strategic Alliances and CFO of a leading provider of enterprise infrastructure software designed to meet the unique needs of the higher education marketplace.

You might say DiLorenzo is a joiner--the ideal volunteer for organizations that sorely need the help of...